Basketball, a widely known game consisting of ball handling skills and superior hand eye coordination, first originated in the U.S. What was first a backyard sport, is now a popular game played around the world. There are some basketball leagues, one of the most widely known is the 'NBA' (National Basketball Association).
There are 5 people in each team that are on court at once. The players usually wear singlets and shorts to their games with their team name on the front and their number on the back, while their team colour is on both sides.
In basketball, you cannot step more than twice without bouncing the ball. In basketball, when you bounce the ball its called a dribble. If you do step more than twice without 'dribbling', it will be called a 'travel'. If you get a travel, it will be the oppositions ball, which they can throw in from the side of the court. Another rule is that if you stop dribbling and start dribbling again or if you dribble with two hands, it will be a double dribble, which also means the opponents possession. Another important rule is you cannot deliberately push or do any harm to other players. It will be a foul which also means the opponents possession. On the other hand, a shooting foul is when you try to take a shot, but the opponent either hits your hand or do anything to make you mess up the shot. It is then 2 free shots for the person who was trying to shoot.
Some of the most frequently used shots in Basketball, are the 'lay-up' and the 'jump shot'. The jump shot is the most easiest and simplest of shots, but you do need to get open in order to take the shot more accurately as defenders can block you. The jump shot is just taking a shot while jumping. The layup, is more frequently used as you don't need to get open as much. The layup is also another simple but effective type of shot. The classic layup, is where you run just underneath the basket, but not too under and take 2 steps then take the shot. You can also put the ball around your body or underneath your legs to make it harder for the defender to block your shot.
Now that you've learnt the rules, why don't you play some basketball?
